These Old Instruments In Chinese Music Culture

As we all known, China is really a very ancient country in the world, so it own the old and abundant culture, of course, including the music culture. There are various types of instruments in Chinese music culture.

Huqin fiddles, suona oboes, the lute, and many of the other traditional instruments of China actually evolved from earlier instruments played by people in Central Asia. In fact, many of them were introduced to China via the Silk Road, but, as with so many other things, the Chinese absorbed them and made them their own.

The musician was playing a type of huqin, a musical instrument which has been dubbed a Chinese spike fiddle in the West — as the ceremony in the temple continued on. There was an older man next to him plucking a lute, another squeaking notes out on an oboe, and an entire percussion section beating out a rhythm on drums, chimes, and cymbals. The band consisted of six or seven members, and they squeaked, pounded, and squawked out something the Chinese call music as a row of men worshiped before the alter.

Various types of huqin are popular throughout China. They are incredibly simple instruments, and are often played by beggars in the street. But the man who was playing it in front of me wasn't just scrapping strings for coins: he really knew how to play it. I'm unsure if I ever watched someone in China play this type of fiddle with better precision. I had to remind myself at one point that the instrument that was resonating sounds through the temple was just two strings attached to a stick that was stuck in a drum that was stroked with horse hair.

Called the "Chinese oboe," a musical instrument known here as a suǒnà hung from a pillar of the temple. It had a long, wooden body that terminated at a detachable metal bell. The top of which had a brass attachment within which a reed was placed. The sound it makes can only be described as a controlled squeak. I watched as a few of the musicians assembled along the side of the temple and all began playing these oboes together. The sound which resonated from them was "trumpet-esque" in the way they totally took control of the melody.

I have no idea what this instrument is called, but its sound is somewhere between a Jewish shofar and a trombone. It is essentially a retractable brass tube with a magnificent bell at the bottom. The musicians were either proud of the fact that it was made in Taiwan or they were trying to tell me that it originated here. Watch the video below to hear the sound of this instrument, it's impressive.

What Is The Real Children's Music

If you look at all of the different music genres listed in many of the media players and online music sites, you will find a category called, "Children's Music." But what exactly is, "Children's Music?" What does it sound like?

Most often in the United States, you will find that the majority of children's music has been generally confined to folk music, usually played by an acoustic guitarist who also sings or tells stories while performing. In fact, just do a general online search of children's music and I guarantee that you will find that a large number of artists within this genre are acoustic guitar players.

Let me first say that there are many excellent children music artists who are acoustic guitarists and are doing great things in this industry. I buy and support their music regularly. However, children's music cannot be confined to one particular style of music. Quite simply, children's music is any music composed and performed for children. But notice that I said it is "any music," not just "folk music." This means that any genre of music can be used to create children's music, including jazz, reggae, classical, rock, Calypso, Bossa Nova, gospel, hip-hop, Go-Go, R&B, country, and the list goes on.

When I first decided to dedicate my art form to children's music, a good buddy of mine and fellow musician told me not to limit the type of music that I play to the stereotype of what many consider to be children's music. He said for me not to get trapped into nursery rhymes if that is not my specialty, but instead just be myself and focus on the message that I'm trying to convey. He was correct. What I have come to realize is that the children's music genre is based upon the level of exposure that parents and guardians give to their children. Once I understood this, it gave me the freedom to simply be me as a drummer and percussionist, and the confidence to believe in what I have to offer the children of the world.

You will find that there is excellent children's music within every style of music and that if you want your child to have a rich and rewarding childhood, you should expose them to as many musical traditions as possible. From a cultural perspective, we cannot separate the purpose of children's music from the purpose of music as whole, which is to enhance the moral and material happiness of humanity.

Therefore, children's music does not have one sound or look. It is universal. So no matter whether you are a country music artist or love opera, straight-ahead jazz enthusiast or hip-hop fan, keep inspiring the next generation because they are listening.